Friday, June 13, 2025

June 15

 Missionary: Alpha Grand Rapids

Toddlers:

  • God Made Plants
  • God created beautiful plants. 
  • Genesis 1:11-13
  • Genesis 2:4
Pre-K/K
  • Israel Met Its Commander
  • God is always with us to help us. 
  • Joshua 5:13-6:5
  • Joshua 1:9
The 1st grade class will be combined with the 2nd - 3rd grade class. 

1st - 3rd SS:
  • Deborah Shared Her Faith
  • God uses faithful people to encourage our faith in Him. 
  • Judges 4; 5
  • Psalm 20:7
4th - 5th SS:
  • Serve God Honestly
  • God expects us to serve Him honestly because He is all-knowing. 
  • Joshua 7; 8
  • Proverbs 12:22
1st - 5th CC:
  • A Place for God to Dwell
  • God indwells those who trust in Him for salvation. 
  • Exodus 25:1-9; 35:30-35; 36:1-38:8
  • John 15:9, 10

Friday, June 6, 2025

June 8

 Missionary: Summer Opportunities (VBS, camps, etc.)

Toddlers:

  • God Made Sky and Land
  • God created land for us to live on. 
  • Genesis 1:6-10
  • Genesis 2:4
Pre-K/K
  • Israel Stepped Out in Faith
  • God helps us as we obey Him. 
  • Joshua 3; 4
  • Joshua 1:9
The 1st grade class will be combined with the 2nd-3rd grade class. 

1st - 3rd SS:
  • God Prodded Israel 
  • God is always faithful because He is sovereign over all. 
  • Judges 3:7-31
  • Psalm 119:90
4th - 5th SS:
  • Serve God Powerfully
  • God unleashes His power as we serve Him by faith. 
  • Joshua 5:13-6:27
  • Hebrews 11:30
1st - 5th CC:
  • God's Laws
  • God's law shows us that we need a Savior. 
  • Exodus 19; 20
  • John 15:9, 10


Thursday, May 29, 2025

June 1

This Sunday is the first Sunday 5th graders can begin attending the Middle School class and Youth Group.

Other classes will be promoted later this summer.

Missionary: Bylsma

Toddlers: 

  • God Made Day and Night
  • God created light for us to see. 
  • Genesis 1:1-5
  • Genesis 2:4
PreK/K
  • Israel Found a Friend
  • God is true and worthy of our faith. 
  • Joshua 1; 2
  • Joshua 2:11
The 1st graders will be combined with the 2nd- 3rd grade class. 

1st - 3rd SS:
  • Israel's Report Card
  • God is always faithful, even when we fail to live by faith. 
  • Judges 1:1-3:6
  • Psalm 33:4
4th - 5th SS:
  • Serve God Expectantly
  • God wants us to serve Him expectantly because He is awesome. 
  • Joshua 1-4
  • Joshua 4:23, 24
1st - 5th CC: 
  • God Gives Provisions and Victory
  • God provides for our needs. 
  • Exodus 15:22 -17:16
  • John 15:9, 10

Friday, May 23, 2025

Sunday, Summer, and Memorial Day

This Sunday, May 25
 
As a reminder, there are NO Sunday School or ACE classes this Sunday May 25, Memorial Day Weekend.
We are still holding our first VBS training this Sunday.  
If you are helping with VBS, plan to come to ONE of the following two training times
  • Option #1 - Sunday, May 25, 9:45 am
  • Option #2- Wednesday, May 28, 7:00 pm 
Childcare will be available at both times.
 


This Summer
 
As summer quickly approaches, here are a couple of things to pray for and plan for.
  • Wonder Junction VBS. Pray for the volunteers and the children who will be here June 16 - 19. Consider serving in the many different areas, from praying to games, to group leaders, and so much more. Sign up to serve or bring your children at https://tbcgrkidz.myanswers.com/wonder-junction/
  • Youth Events.  
    • Bible & Bonfires and the three SNAC’s (Sunday Night After Church) events this Summer
    • WILD Retreat for High School Students.  Pray for these teens and leaders traveling to West Virginia from July 13 to July 17.
  • Camps. Pray for the many children and teens from Trinity who are attending camps. Pray for those working at camps. Specifically, pray for Community Kids as they hope to send over 100 children to various camps.
Memorial Day
 
This Monday, May 26, is Memorial Day.
It is easy to forget the significance of this special day. 
It is more than a day off from work, special sales, and the start of summer. 
 
Memorial Day specifically honors those who died in military service.  
At 3:00 pm on Memorial Day, there will be a national Monument of Remembrance. 
I encourage you to take time to pay tribute to the fallen, pray for their families, and thank God for the freedoms that were preserved through their sacrifice.
For more about Memorial Day, go to www.defense.gov/spotlights/Memorial-Day/

May 25

 Missionary: Bylsma

No Sunday School this Sunday.

Toddler:
  • God Helped Naaman
  • God helps us when we are sick. 
  • 2 Kings 5:1-15
  • 1 Peter 5:7
Pre-K/K
  • God Judged Israel's Disobedience
  • God is gracious to us. 
  • Numbers 13:1, 2, 17 - 14:45
  • Ephesians 2:8
The 1st graders will be combined with the 2nd–3rd grade class

1st - 5th CC:
  • The First Passover/Crossing the Red Sea
  • God provides Christ as the solution to sin. God teaches us to trust Him through trials. 
  • Exodus 11:1 - 13:16; 12:17- 15:21
  • Exodus 3:13, 14

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Stages of Parenting

UPDATE:  There is no Sunday School or Adult Christian Education Classes this Sunday, May 25.

Over the last couple of weeks, we have been talking about Reading, Praying, and Planning (this post).

The two weeks we spent on planning were designed to help parents live this Tedd Tripp quote.


"Give your children big truths they will grow into 
rather than light explanations they will grow out of."

Much of this material is taken from Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp and Age of Opportunity by Paul Tripp In class, we talked about three different age groups:  birth through 5 years old, 5 years old through 12 years old, and teenagers.

In Week 1 of planning, we discussed general ideas for each age group, with the goal of exploring and sharing specific parenting questions and ideas in Week 2.

Both of these classes have been combined into one post.  And while there are variations in the development of different children, the concept is intended to prompt you to think and plan as your child grows.

At every age, two essential things need to be done.
Reading.  When your children are younger, take time to read to them.  As they grow as readers, encourage reading with them, both independently and together.
Praying:  Remember to pray with and for your children.


BIRTH THROUGH 5 YEARS OLD

The BIG WORD in this period is CHANGE. There is SO MUCH change that happens in a short period.

Physical Change:   A child goes from not being able to hold his head up to running around the house.

Social Change:  A child goes from one primary social interaction, the mom, to having a group of friends outside of the family, and specifically one favorite friend.

Intellectual Change:  A child goes from crying to being able to clearly ask for things, sometimes.

Through reading together, playing games, and other activities, parents should seek to cultivate joy in learning.  Look for opportunities to help your child learn new things and encourage them when they demonstrate what they have learned.  A big part of this is helping children understand the meaning of words.  
Spiritually, begin helping them to see their dependence on God and the work of Christ.  At this young age, remind them that they are created in the image of God.

At 4 and 5 years old, help your child in the development of his/her conscience.  Andy Naselli has written a book, Conscience, that I have used in many different classes and situations.   He has also written a children's book, "That Little Voice in Your Head: Learning About Your Conscience."  HERE is a summary of the book.

5 through 12 years old

The BIG WORD for this age is CHARACTER.

Throughout this stage of childhood, they will begin spending more time away from you.  This is an excellent time for character building.  Help your child grow in dependability, honesty, kindness, consideration, helpfulness, humility, self-control, and purity.

There are many ways to help your child grow in these areas and many others.  Encourage your child to contribute to the needs of the family by assigning responsibilities and encouraging disciplined living.  Another part of this period is finding and choosing friends.  Help your child understand the importance of making wise choices in friendships.  

Teen Years

The BIG WORDS for this age are TRANSITION and INSECURITY

This time is not merely rebellion.  Often, rebellion is "simply a misguided attempt to establish individuality." 

In "Age of Opportunity, Paul Tripp offers three strategies to help with parenting.  

"Project Parenting" - More to come later

"Constant Conversation" - You must pursue your child.  Listening, asking questions, and being available are essential components of this ongoing conversation.

"Leading Your Teenager to Repentance" - Help your teen understand how to recognize sin in his/her life and live under the Lordship of Christ.

On a personal note:  I enjoyed not just teaching this hour long class this quarter but even more so interacting with parents and grandparents about various parenting issues.  It is my prayer that the class was a help in the lives of those who attended.  

Friday, May 16, 2025

May 18

 Missionary: Bettig

Toddler: 
  • God Cared about Naaman
  • God cares for us when we are sick.
  • 2 Kings 5:1-5
  • Psalm 56:3
Pre-K/K
  • God Parted the Red Sea
  • God leads us by His grace. 
  • Exodus 13:17- 15:2
  • Proverbs 3:6
The 1st graders will be combined with the 2nd–3rd grade class

1st - 3rd SS:
  • Israel's Lapse of Faith
  • God faithfully gives His wisdom to those who seek it. 
  • Joshua 9
  • James 1:5
4th - 5th SS:
  • Christ's Higher Standard
  • Christ helps us see our sinfulness. 
  • Matthew 5:17-22; 23:1-7; 25-28
  • Matthew 23:27
1st - 5th CC:
  • God's Hard Lessons for Pharaoh
  • God is the only true God and Is mightier than any man. 
  • Exodus 4:27 - 10:29
  • Exodus 3:13, 14